2025: YEAR IN REVIEW | SA franchises deliver mixed bag in URC and Europe

South Africa’s four United Rugby Championship (URC) giants — the Bulls, Stormers, Lions and Sharks — delivered a mixed bag packed with grit, frustration, promise and flair.

Some surged, some stumbled, some thrilled, and all four learned valuable lessons at home and abroad. Their URC campaigns showed how far South African rugby has evolved since joining the competition, but their European journeys showed how far there is still to go.

We take a look at the four sides and what they have achieved in 2025.

The Bulls

A case of so close, yet so far. Again.

They crept into another URC final; they had plenty of experience of playing in knockouts, but for a third time, the Bulls again fell short. It was again a frustrating end to a promising campaign after coming unstuck against Leinster at Croke Park in June.

Under Jake White, who has since been fired, the Pretoria side showed plenty of promise, but could not convert their opportunities to become a title-winning SA side. Despite not winning any silverware, they were the best local side in the competition.

However, with their focus on the URC, the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup knockouts were not high on their list of priorities. And in the end, they finished the season empty-handed, which ultimately brought an early end to White at Loftus Versfeld. He lost the changeroom and the trust of his assistants.

Best Player: Wilco Louw (prop)

Youngster: Cameron Hanekom (loose forward)

Best match: URC semi-final vs Sharks (25-13, Pretoria)

Worst match: URC final vs Leinster (32-7, Dublin)

Grading: 7/10

Stormers

At a stage in the season, the Stormers had 15 injuries that included plenty of their senior players who were vital cogs in the success of the first two campaigns. And in the end, they ran out of steam and replacements in both the URC and Champions Cup.

For a second successive season, the Cape side went quietly into the night in the quarter-finals of the URC, losing in Glasgow at the Scotstoun Stadium. It was another tough way to end a season that showed plenty of promise. And because the URC is their bread and butter, the Stormers did not put too much focus on the European charge.

They should have made a mind shift to challenge for European glory because they already have a URC title, but the focus remained on trying to secure a second domestic trophy. In the end, one win in the Champions Cup and an early exit in the Challenge Cup brought no success.

Best Player: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Flyhalf)

Youngster: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Flyhalf)

Best match: URC vs Bulls (19-16, Pretoria)

Worst match: URC quarter-final vs Glasgow Warriors (36-18, Glasgow)

Grading: 6.5/10

Sharks

For the Sharks, the season marked a genuine step forward.

After several seasons of inconsistency, they rediscovered their bite in the URC, sealing their first South African Shield and earning a valuable home quarter-final.

Kings Park became a fortress again, with the Sharks leaning on improved cohesion up front, smarter tactical kicking, and a more balanced approach between structure and flair. They won a dramatic quarter-final victory, defeating Munster 6-4 in a place-kick competition after the game ended 24-all after extra time. However, they fell short in the semis against the Bulls in Pretoria.

Europe was less forgiving. A single Champions Cup pool win sent them tumbling into the Challenge Cup Round of 16, where Lyon halted their run as defending champions. Away from Durban, the Sharks struggled to reproduce their domestic composure, often undone by defensive errors.

Best Player: Vincent Tshituka (Utility forward)

Youngster: Ethan Hooker (Utility back)

Best match: URC quarter-final vs Munster (24-24, won 6-4 in a place-kick competition in Durban)

Worst match: URC vs Leinster (7-10, Durban)

Grading: 6/10

Lions

If rugby seasons were rated for entertainment, the Lions might have topped the standings. They had a whirlwind campaign of expansive attacking rugby, daring offloads, and moments of individual brilliance that sparked the URC. But the flip side was equally visible: defensive fragility and inconsistent game management that repeatedly stalled their progress.

The Lions showed they can beat almost anyone — and also lose to anyone — depending on which version of the team turns up for matches at Ellis Park or elsewhere. Those inconsistent performances robbed them of a first opportunity in the Champions Cup and a playoff spot in the URC.

Their Challenge Cup performances were a bright spark until the knockout round. A statement 60–10 demolition of the Dragons reminded everyone of their attacking potential; however, a loss in the Round of 16 ended their campaign, and they had to refocus on the URC.But a top-eight spot evaded them because of inconsistency, and it is time they turn their fortunes around.

Best Player: Morné van den Berg (Scrumhalf)

Youngster: SJ Kotze (Prop)

Best match: Lions vs Stormers (30-23, Johannesburg)

Worst match: Lions vs Glasgow Warriors (0-42, Glasgow)

Grading: 4.5/10

Special mention

On the domestic front, Griquas deserve the plaudits after winning the Currie Cup, claiming wins over the URC teams. How head coach Pieter Bergh steered his side to the summit of local rugby was inspiring, and his players ultimately received the recognition for their exploits.

Currently, winger Dylan Maart is with the Stormers in the URC and Champions Cup. Fellow winger Gurshwin Wehr is with the Sale Sharks in the English Premiership, while a host of other players slotted in at URC franchises for the rest of the season.